Health Issues Become School Issues

Many people are developing health issues more now, than they used to the past few decades ago. Genetics as well as environmental issues play a role in the people who have developed certain issues. These issues range anywhere from type two diabetes, obesity, to heart problems. Schools around their world are adopting this health epidemic problem, and making it their job to do something about it.

Over the past few years, children are developing a form of diabetes that adults contracted later in life. Type two diabetes is just as serious as type one diabetes, but it is preventable. Also, more and more children are developing high blood pressure. There are many environmental factors such as stress, poor eating habits, and lack of sleep that all contribute to the development of high blood pressure. The American Heart Association is teaming up educational and physical programs of schools to help decrease the numbers of children developing these issues.

The American Heart Association has developed several programs such as Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart to decrease numbers. About 31,000, of schools all throughout the United States participate in either the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart or the Hoops For Heart programs (Delisio 1). Both of these programs work closely with elementary schools as well as middle schools to teach students are lifelong physical activity, such as jumping and basketball. Also, students are not only learning about the dangers of tobacco products, they are learning about proper nutrition.

Students receive many benefits by participating in the programs such as Jump Rope and Hoops. Students learn about the importance of maintaining heart-healthy lifestyles while they are also participating in service learning as well as being physically active. Schools have an opportunity to enroll themselves in the Healthy Schools Program. Millions of students each day all across America are attending schools with such programs.

Schools have an advantage in helping with this health epidemic, if they chose to make a difference and contribute. Providing communities where students can learn about the benefits of receiving healthy lifestyles as well as being in an environment that promotes health, is one of the best ways to shape up the outdated health educational programs. The efforts of the American Heart Association have made an impact on millions of youth. Informing the youth and providing them with resources is how America is going to over come the various health issues that we are facing, as well as the ones we may face in the future.

Delisio, Ellen D. "Heart Health Programs Move Into Schools." EducationWorld. 24 Mar. 2010 http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat254.shtml.